The effects of epilepsy surgery on emotions, behavior, and psychosocial impairment in children and adolescents with drug-resistant epilepsy: A prospective study

This study examines change in behavioral disorders and psychosocial impairment following epilepsy surgery in 13 children and adolescents with drug-resistant epilepsy. Subjects were screened for emotional and behavioral symptoms four times pre- and postoperatively using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, and were followed for up to 8.5 years after surgery. The results of this study demonstrated significantly lower scores in emotional and behavioral symptoms after surgery. A downward trend in total difficulty scores for the group was demonstrated over the three postoperative time points. The mean Impact Score showed an initial decrease at the first follow-up time point after surgery with no further improvement subsequently. Our findings suggest that emotional and behavioral symptoms in children undergoing epilepsy surgery may improve following surgery, with reduction in their functional impact, and that these improvements are maintained in the long term.